Will Saquon Barkley Be Franchise-Tagged by the Giants for 2nd Consecutive Time? Latest Rumors Add More Credence to Points Brought Up in Earlier RB Meeting

Published 02/20/2024, 11:23 PM HKT

Follow Us

USA Today via Reuters

The franchise tag window has started for all 32 franchises. Each team can tag only one player for one year. As the New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley enters free agency, will the team tag him once more?

America’s Favorite Video Today

It is no secret that Barkley wants to stay with the Giants. The 27-year-old has declared his desire to play with the Giants throughout his pro career. But will the Giants’ management also show the same loyalty?

A year later and dollars short for Saquon Barkley

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Barkley was drafted by the Giants as their first pick in the 2018 NFL Draft in round 1. Since his rookie season, the RB remained inconsistent due to injuries. However, the 2X pro Bowler had a career-high 2022 season. And the Giants wanted more!

Though both parties could not come to a deal last year and hence the Giants used their tag on Barkley. Expectations were that he might receive a hefty contract this time around.

Trending

Get instantly notified of the hottest NFL stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.

Follow Us

NFL Rumors: 5 Players That Could Be Franchise-Tagged Amidst Michael Pittman Jr., Josh Jacobs, and Co’s Contract Situation

However, the latest reports suggest that the Giants are willing to hedge their bets on not re-signing the RB. And with the mandated bump of 20% salary from last year, the Giants seem unlikely to tag him. So where could Barkley head next?

Testing the free agency market

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

The Running backs, despite being the focal points of attacks and rushes, have very short shelf life in the NFL. Hence, many of the top teams tend to shy away from aging RBs. Even though Barkley is only 27, it would be tough for him to land a deal for a number of years.

But he can make the most of it, through free agency. Despite the slump of form in 2023, Barkley is expected to receive a premium deal upon signing. Top teams like the Baltimore Ravens and the Green Bay Packers are in the market for an exceptional RB. And Barkley might fulfill their needs for a couple of seasons.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Do you think Saquon Barkley will test free agency or be franchise-tagged by the Giants? Let us know in the comments.

Watch this Story: Tom Brady’s Successor Finds an 8-Worded Reality Check As Bucs QB Baker Mayfield Finally Set To Prove if He Is Worth Legends Shoes

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :

ADVERTISEMENT

Written by:

Utkarsh Tiwari

422Articles

One take at a time

Utkarsh Tiwari is an NFL writer at EssentiallySports. As a coalesce of a law graduate and football enthusiast, he takes pride in reporting Sunday live games along with post-match analysis and legal accuracy. This enthusiasm has made Utkarsh our ‘go-to guy’ for throwback pieces and listicles when it comes to any game, especially of the Kansas City Chiefs.
Show More>

Edited by:

Garima Yadav

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

EDITORS' PICK

America’s Favorite Video Today